A life watching rugby – one woman’s view

I grew up a football fan, dad was a massive Manchester United fan coming from Lancashire.  I never went to any matches, partly because of the cost but more importantly Dad didn’t like the atmosphere at games (this was the ‘70s) and thought it wasn’t where he wanted to take his kids.  My Uncles went to Rugby League but Dad didn’t like it saying it was a hooligans’ game, so we didn’t go there either!  So I became an armchair fan of most sports, however when I moved to Cardiff 31 years ago things changed.  My husband Bob was fanatical about rugby (and no other sport), he wanted me to like the game so he took me to my first ever live sport event in 1986.  It was Wales V France, we lost but that didn’t matter as I was now in love with the game.  I particularly remember Paul Moriarty and being in awe of his ferocious play.  I was hooked, we started going to see Cardiff every week (always Saturday afternoons) and quickly decided to become season ticket holders. 

At first I didn’t have a clue what was going on and relied on everyone around me to know.  There seemed to be thousands of armchair referees, they amazed me with their knowledge.  Of course the blokes had an advantage, most had played rugby at school, but as a girl growing up in the North of England I knew nothing of the intricacies.  It was like they were speaking a different language, but you soon grew to know that half the people were right and the other half generally weren’t.  I remember my Dads fears about the crowd violence and can happily state I have never felt unsafe at a game, the crowd is a mix of people from all backgrounds, there is no segregation and people generally do not tolerate rudeness to others, just friendly banter.  Many of my friends come to the games too, so we have a brilliant social life linked to the rugby. When you go away to games you are treated as friends, mixing with opposition supporters in the bars, sharing stories of the game. 

So roll on 30 years and I am proud that one of my friend’s daughters is a fine rugby player, and has played for the Blues women, and is now at University studying sports therapy.  In the hope of igniting interest in another, I took my goddaughter to her first game on Friday 21^st October.  She asked me questions all night about why did that happen, what did he do, why do they think the refs is ‘blind’.  I hope I explained it well and she says she enjoyed it, but there is a way to go yet before she is a devoted rugby fan.  That’s because It is still a confusing game when you first start watching it, but if you persevere you will have a life’s time of enjoyment. I have watched Cardiff and Wales all over Europe, I have seen the highs and the lows.  I have watched us lift cups in Marseille and Twickenham.  I just love the game.

It can seem like Rugby is a man’s world but women do have a place in rugby, as players, supporters and administrators to name just a few ways to be involved.  You can also become involved in supporter’s organisations and that is why I joined the CF10 Arms Park Trust.  We need to ensure our voice is heard too.  So if you are a woman reading this please get involved in the trust, you will be made very welcome.